Published on Al Bawaba (http://www.albawaba.com)

There's going out in Beirut, then there's Coming Out in Beirut

Published March 31st, 2011 - 16:05 GMT

The surprising and less surprising responses by friends to 'coming out', Bashar al-Asad brought to you in English- his 'disappointing' speech translated, and a Revolution game popular on iPhone- play!
Coming out with one's sexuality to friends can elicit interesting responses
© 2011 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com [1])
See video [2]
Beirut Boy [3]
Coming Out
"One of the hardest things for gay women & men to do is to “come out”. To say “I’m gay” to a parent or a close friend is a memorable experience."
Levantine Dreamhouse [4]
The Syrian President's Ignominious Speech
More bitter disappointment at a Leader who didn't come close to delivering, in a speech devoid of promise or potential for compromise, to an agitated Middle East: As I was searching for words to express my outrage at the president's speech, I came across Hashashji's post that perfectly encapsulates the speech's message (below is my translation): I will not change anything... The reforms started ten years but the amendments will take another twenty years before they are applied and spread prosperity The government was slated to resign anyway... it was not because of the demonstrations There will be no compromise with any demonstration or demonstrator You are with me... or you are against Syria....
Arab Crunch [5]
(Infographics) Digital Marketing Trends in the Middle East: 5.5 Million Twitter Users in the Arab World
For the geeks i.e. the average Jo on the net nowadays: "Between 2009 and 2010 Twitter users from the Arab world were estimated to be around 15,000 to 40,000 but these figures were not official and not very accurate. But after the revolution on Tunisia and Egypt, as Twitter has been used as a tool to fuel the revolution,Twitter become a house hold name in the Arab world just like Facebook."
The Arabist [6]
Angry birds vs. big pigs: Playing with deposed leaders
Try this game, it's been all the rage since the Revolution came, and stayed.
Juancole [7]
Asad’s Speech Falls Flat in Syria
For those that didn't hear it with English commentary/ translation, see the YouTube video to the left side bar of how Asad was a seemingly universal disappointment on Wednesday. "Syrian President Bashar al-Asad gave a major speech to the nation before his parliament on Wednesday, which largely disappointed the hopes of reformers ."
Source URL: http://www.albawaba.com/theres-going-out-beirut-then-theres-coming-out-beirut

Links:
[1] http://www.albawaba.com
[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bMV6_Go2AM
[3] http://guymeetsworld.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/coming-out/
[4] http://levantdream.blogspot.com/2011/03/syrian-presidents-ignominious-speech.html
[5] http://arabcrunch.com/2011/03/infographics-digital-marketing-trends-in-the-middle-east-5-5-million-twitter-users-in-the-arab-world.html
[6] http://www.arabist.net/blog/2011/3/31/angry-birds-vs-big-pigs.html
[7] http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/asads-speech-falls-flat-in-syria.html